Correct spatial visualisation using optical tracking

Abstract

Graphical representations of 3-dimensional scenes on computer screens are not satisfying in all cases of application. One reason is that traditional visualisation-tools reduced the spatial scene to a two-dimensional projection to deal with the flat computer screen. Today, devices become available which can present different images to both eyes of a viewer and in this manner generate stereoscopic impressions. However, in order to maintain the 3-dimensional illusion even if the user moves his head, it is necessary to track the position of the head relatively to the screen and to update the images sufficiently fast. We introduce a method to obtain the information about the users attitude, based on a single CCD-camera mounted on top of the monitor. This paper describes the hardware configuration, the algorithms to extract the head-position and the required information about the attitude of the user's head from the live video input, to make this kind of visualisation work. We also give an outlook of the potential of such optical tracking methods for further applications.